July 23, 2007

Tammy Faye's Closest Friends Reveal Her Final Hours

Tammy Faye Messner may have passed away, but her legend lives on.
Already, her website has been turned into a memorial page as people from across the world leave messages of sadness and joy, remembering the woman whose bright spirit could not be dimmed by cancer.
Her son Jay posted this message about his mother in her final hours: "She had a peaceful death and is no longer in pain."
Tammy passed away after battling cancer for more than a decade.
But mortality was no surprise to the faithful Christian evangelist, who said on "Larry King Live" that she knew exactly where she was going.
"I believe when I leave this earth, I'm going straight to heaven," Tammy told King.
Just 48 hours later, her last words came true. She passed away peacefully with her husband Roe by her side.
Tammy's former husband, televangelist Jim Bakker, is now speaking out. He posted a tribute on a webcast saying, "She lived life liked the song she sang. If life hands you a lemon, make lemonade."
Rapper Vanilla Ice, who co-stared with Tammy on "The Surreal Life," is revealing exclusively to "Extra" his poignant tale about his frantic attempt to reach her after seeing her saddening appearance on "Larry King."
"I got a hold of her manager," recalls the rapper. But he was never able to see his friend before she died.
"I'm shocked," he said. "I was going to see her, and I didn't even get a chance for that."
But he said Tammy's legacy will never be forgotten.
"The world needs more people like her," he insisted. "A total sweetheart. She's going to be missed."
He adds, "When you’re looking at death, and you can be that strong – that’s something to admire.”
Today, "Extra" learned that Tammy's family might be making an appearance on television. If Jim Bakker or any of their children decide to talk publicly, it will reportedly be to Larry King.
"Extra" wants to know: what will you remember most about Tammy Faye? Post your comments here.



















Tammy Faye was as big a scam artist as Jim Baker, bilking thousands of people out of millions of dollars, and never expressed the slightest bit of remorse for her actions. “Give praise to God, but send your checks to me” was her lifelong manta. She then marries Roe who was complicit in the Heritage USA scandal. Takes a crook to know a crook I guess.
I can’t see glorifying a woman who was complicit in securing and wasting millions of dollars on air-conditioned dog houses and gold bathroom fixtures…so very Christian of her. There are people starving, suffering and in need of true help, unfortunately her vision was clouded by the tons of make-up she so vainly wore. The world will be better off without her kind. We need more people with true compassion and will help people without pocketing millions for themselves in the process.